EPA to reduce staff by nearly 50% by the end of 2018

If you are a car enthusiast (why else would you be here?) this is good news. Why? Because the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is getting funding cut and reducing its bloated budget which was used to bully guys who just want to enjoy their cars.

Remember back in 2016 when the EPA wanted to fine you for modifying your car? Even for off-road use? Even if you didn't drive it? Yes, that's right. Even if you build exhausts for a living modifying a car to use as a model for exhaust products would mean you could face $37,500 in fines for each engine modified:

Originally Posted by EPA

Certified motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines and their emission control devices must remain in their certified configuration even if they are used solely for competition or if they become non-road vehicles or engines; anyone modifying a certified motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine for any reason is subject to the tampering and defeat device prohibitions of paragraph (a)(3) of this section and 42 U.S.C.

We may assess a civil penalty up to $37,500 for engine or vehicle in violation.

Well, that insanity is fortunately over as is the EPA's overreach:

As of January 3, 2018, the EPA has 14,162 employees.

The last time EPA was at an actual employment level of 14,440 was in fiscal year 1988 when Reagan was president.

23 percent of EPA employees can retire with full benefits and another 4 percent can retire at the end of 2018.

Additionally, another 20 percent of EPA employees will be eligible for retirement in the next five years.

Taken together, 47 percent of the EPA will be eligible to retire with full benefits in the next 5 years.

Under Pruitt, the agency has gone the “back to basics” of protecting the environment while shucking former President Obama’s political agenda focused heavily on climate change.